BBQ

Friday March 22, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 22, 2019

Doug Ford didn’t breach rules in Taverner appointment, integrity commissioner says

Ontario’s integrity commissioner says Premier Doug Ford did not breach conflict of interest rules during the appointment of his friend Ron Taverner as Ontario Provincial Police commissioner.

March 8, 2019

“I found that the Premier stayed at arm’s length from the recruitment process and that he believed it to be independent,” J. David Wake said in the report released on Wednesday.

But the report on the Taverner’s selection does not fully exonerate the government. Wake said the appointment process itself was flawed and said there were “some troubling aspects of the recruitment process” — most notably communication between the then-secretary of the cabinet Steve Orsini and Dean French, Ford’s chief of staff.

“What I found most disconcerting in all the evidence were the text messages from the Secretary to Mr. French as Mr. Taverner’s progress throughout the process. There seemed to be a tacit acknowledgement by the Secretary that Mr. French was rooting for Mr. Taverner’s success,” the commissioner said.

July 30, 2015

“Anyone examining these messages would have serious doubts as to the fairness of the process to the other candidates.”

Wake’s investigation was launched after complaints from opposition politicians over Taverner’s appointment.

Taverner, 72, a Toronto police superintendent, initially did not meet the criteria listed for the position and the government admitted it changed the requirements to attract a wider range of candidates.

Earlier this month, Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the job because of the controversy around his appointment. He said he needed to protect the integrity of front-line officers.

After he withdrew his name, the government named Thomas Carrique as the new OPP commissioner. Carrique is currently deputy chief of York Regional Police. (Source: CBC) 

 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, March 30, 2013

Hillbilly Heaven operating without city licences

Hillbilly Heaven — the controversial southern barbecue joint that proudly displays the Confederate flag — is operating illegally.

The city confirmed Wednesday that neither the Upper James nor the downtown locations has an up-to-date business licence.

Hillbilly owner Cameron Bailey — who plans to run for city council in 2014 — says he hasn’t licensed his Upper James location since its opening two-and-a-half years ago because of a $2,000 rezoning fee. Bailey has also refused to pay the $250 “zoning verification fee” for his new downtown location.

“My argument is this: in a city where we’re trying to employ people, why is the city being so difficult over small amounts of money?” he said. “If it comes right down to it, I will fire two of my staff so I can give the city their $2,000.”

Bailey says that since his Upper James building was zoned only for takeout, not eat-in dining, he was required to spend $8,000 on architectural drawings to submit to the city. Although the drawings are finished, he still refuses to pay an additional $2,000 to change the building’s zoning to allow eat-in tables.

“To have a small-business owner draw a picture of what amounts to five or six tables is just ridiculous,” he said. “Everybody has to pay the fees, only because they go along like sheep.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Friday May 25, 2001

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 25, 2001

Jim Jeffords hands Senate power to Democrats

President George W. Bush went on the defensive yesterday after a senator bolted Republican ranks, tipping the balance of power in Washington.

In Cleveland, a sombre Bush was swift to defend his policies and his view of himself as a conciliator. He said he respected Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords, whom he called a “distinguished United States senator.”

“But respectfully,” he added, “I couldn’t disagree more (with his views). Our agenda for reforming America’s public schools and providing tax relief for every taxpayer represents the hopes and dreams of main-street America. Our agenda for reforming our military . . . represents the best hope for peace.”

“I was elected to get things done on behalf of the American people and to work with both Republicans and Democrats,” Bush said, “and we’re doing just that.”

It was Bush’s right-wing agenda that Jeffords could not stomach and which triggered his actions. In rebelling against his party, Jeffords ensured himself a place in the political history books.

His move to become an Independent marks the first time in U.S. history that the defection of one congressman switched the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

No later than June 5, Democrats will assume control of the Senate and the political agenda in this country in what amounts to a colossal blow to Bush’s plans.

What had been a 50-50 Senate controlled by Republicans with Vice-President Dick Cheney’s tie-breaking vote now becomes a 51-49 Democratic majority with Jeffords’ support. (Hamilton Spectator)